This marks the first time that Rhode Island and Norfolk State
have met on the hardwood.

It is the second time Rhode Island has faced a MEAC opponent
(12/28/91 - 73-59 win over North Carolina A&T).

RHODE ISLAND WELCOMES THE START OF THE DAN HURLEY
ERA

On March 21, Rhode Island introduced Dan Hurley as the 19th
head coach in program history.

ESPN.com, CBSSports.com, and Athlon Sports all ranked the move
as one of the top offseason hires in the country.

Hurley came to Kingston after two successful seasons at Wagner
College in Staten Island.

He guided Wagner to a school-record 25 wins and a 15-3 mark in
Northeast Conference play in 2011-12.

In two seasons with the Seahawks, he compiled a 38-23 overall
record.

Hurley spent nine seasons as the head coach at St. Benedict's
Prep in Newark, N.J., compiling a 223-21 record.

RHODE ISLAND IN SEASON OPENERS

In its 106 previous season openers, Rhode Island has posted an
outstanding 84-22 (.792) winning percentage.

The Rams have won eight of their last 10 season openers, but
have dropped their last two.

Last season, the Rams fell 92-90 in overtime at George Mason on
Nov, 11, 2011.

RHODE ISLAND IN HOME OPENERS

From Lippitt Hall, Rodman Hall, Keaney Gymnasium, sometimes the
Providence Civic Center, and now to the Thomas M. Ryan Center, URI
teams have posted an 94-12 (.887) record its first home game of the
season.

Last year, Rhody picked up an 85-73 win over Hofstra in last
year's home opener on Nov. 25, 2011.

RHODE ISLAND AT THE THOMAS M. RYAN CENTER - 10TH
ANNIVERSARY

This year marks the 10th anniversary of the Ryan Center - the
home of URI men's and women's basketball.

URI holds a 103-53 (.660) regular season record in the Ryan
Center since the arena opened for play on Nov. 26, 2002 with a
73-71 victory over USC.

Last season's victory over Hofstra on Nov. 25, 2011 was the
100th on the Ryan Center floor.

The Rams have won 11 or more home games on five occasions -
including a program-record 15 in 2009-10.

RHODE ISLAND IN IN-SEASON TOURNAMENTS

Dating back to the 1949-50 season, Rhode Island is 62-65 (.488)
all-time in in-season tournaments.

Last season, the Rams were 1-3 in the TicketCity Legends
Classic, beating Hofstra and dropping games to Texas, Boston
University and Cleveland State.

Rhody went 1-1 at the UCF Holiday Classic, beating James
Madison before losing to host UCF.

TODAY'S RHODE ISLAND BASKETBALL FACT(S) YOU CAN'T LIVE
WITHOUT

Today's Theme: Season Openers

Dating back to the 1905-06 - the first in which Rhode Island
featured a head men's basketball coach - the Rams are 12-6 all-time
in "program debuts" by a new coach.